Bread slicer

Abstract: A bread slicer using endless blades, in which finger holders holding fingers for guiding the endless blades so as to position the same blades can be quickly and accurately positioned, is provided. A plurality of endless blades (B) are stretched over between drums (D1 and D2). Fingers (4) are provided each having engagement pieces (3) for guiding each of the endless blades (B) in engagement therewith so as to position the same blade, and each finger (4) is held on the finger holder (1). The finger holders (1) are slidably put on guide bars (2). A spacer shaft (5) is disposed in parallel to the guide bars (2), and rows of plural spacers different in width are attached on the spacer shaft (5). By rotating the spacer shaft (5), anyone of the rows of spacers can be made to intervene between the finger holders (1). The spacer shaft (5) will be rotated after it is shifted by an air cylinder (9). By clamping the finger holders from both the sides to fix them after the spacers are made to intervene between the finger holders (1), the finger holders are fixed, with their intervals kept at the width of the spacers. Thus, the endless blades (B) are guided at those intervals, and a loaf of bread (P) is sliced to a desired number.

Description: The present invention relates to a bread slicer for slicing a loaf of bread to a desired thickness by use of endless blades as defined in the preamble of claim 1. After baking, a loaf of bread is sliced at a predetermined thickness so as to provide four, six or eight slices per pound, and then packaged as a product. A bread slicer which carries out such operation automatically is constructed, as shown in Fig. 5, such that a plurality of endless blades B are caused to travel as crossingly stretched around drums D1 and D2 spacedly disposed in parallel and a loaf of bread P is laterally conveyed toward these endless blades B as shown by an arrow, wherein the bread is sliced to a predetermined number by the edges of these blades B. For the purpose of slicing a loaf of bread to a predetermined number by use of the endless blades B as mentioned above, it is necessary to control these endless blades B so as to be set at given intervals, and it is also necessary to hold the travelling blades B at predetermined intervals. In order to hold the endless blades B at given intervals, as shown in Fig. 5, such a device is used that an endless blade B is made to pass between a plurality of fingers 4 each having engagement pieces 3 supported on a holder 1. For controlling the position of these finger holders 1, there have hitherto been advised various constructions. In an apparatus disclosed, for instance in Japanese JP-A-329,430/1991 of the present applicant and shown in Fig. 6, a finger holder 1 is held movably along guide bars 2, a guide 26 is disposed in parallel to the guide bars 2 and an engaging member 27 which can be freely engaged or disengaged with said guide 26 is attached on the holder 1. When the engaging member 27 gets engaged with the guide 26, the holder 1 is not permitted to move and therefore positioned at that position. Further, a screw rod 31 is disposed in parallel to the guide bars 2 and a nut member 32 is screw-engaged with the same screw rod 31. On the nut member 32 is provided a turning member 35 which is turned by an air cylinder 36. By means of this turning member 35, the engaging member 27 is released from its engagement with the guide 26, whereby the holder 1 gets movable along the guide bars 2. When the screw rod 31 is rotated to move the nut member 32 under such a condition that the finger holder 1 is made movable along the guide bars 2, the holder 1 is moved so as to be positioned. This device is advantageous because it can be reliably acutated and can hold the finger holders freely at desired intervals. In this device, however, it is necessary to set the intervals of the finger holders on a control panel, and further it takes a considerably longer period of time for positioning all the finger holders because they must be separately positioned. A bread slicer according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in US-A-2 126 987. Furtheron in "Machine design", vol. 29, No. 14, page 141 there is disclosed a control of a spacing distance between bandsaw blades by use of an adjusting pressure applied to a series of rubber, ring-shaped spring elements positioned between band guide supports. It is an object of the present invention to provide a bread slicer simple in structure, in which the positioning of the finger holders can be accurately carried out by a common action and the change of this positioning can be easily carried out. According to the present invention there is provided a bread slicer as set out in claim 1. If the finger holder fixing device for clamping the finger holders from both sides is released, the respective finger holders will be spaced almost at equal intervals from each other by the spring interposed and made to intervene between the adjacent finger holders due to the design and construction of the bread slicer according to the present invention. If one row of spacers having a width corresponding to an interval which is desired to be held for the finger holders is selected among the rows of spacers of the finger interval holding member under this condition, and then inserted between the finger holders which have been distanced as mentioned above, and the finger holders are clamped from both sides by means of the finger holder fixing device, these finger holders will be fast set at the width of the row of spacers inserted therebetween. By releasing the finger holder fixing device at a width in which an interval somewhat larger than an interval that is about to set is held between the respective finger holders, the moving width of the finger holder fixing device can be made smaller, whereby a period of time required for setting the intervals of the finger holders can be shortened. In the bread slicer according to the present invention, the spacers thereof are slidably displaceable on the spacer shaft, not fixed thereon because the clamping of the finger holders by the finger holder fixing device can be firmly carried out when they are clamped from both sides, with the spacers made to intervene between the adjacent finger holders respectively. Furthermore, the bread slicer according to the present invention may be constructed such that the spacer shaft is made shiftable so as not to collide with the finger holders when rotated. And, in the bread slicer according to the present invention, a two-stage air cylinder may be used as the finger holder fixing device. If several finger holders at the ends, supported on the guide bars, are held at an interval corresponding to the maximum number of bread slices, without springs interposed between them, and these finger holders are made displaceable as a unit, this construction will be also advantageous for reducing the width of the apparatus and shortening a period of time required for carrying out the change of the interval of the finger holders. In the present invention, furthermore, the finger holders at both end sides of said drums for the blades which will be used only when a loaf of bread is sliced to the maximum number of bread slices, may be formed in an united structure. If some finger holders at both ends of the drums for the blades used only for providing the maximum number of bread slices which are formed in an united structure as mentioned above are adopted, the mechanism and operation of the bread slicer will become very simple because these finger holders of the united structure can be moved as one piece when displaced. In addition, if the spacer shaft is made exchangeable by another spacer shaft, the interval of the finger holders can be preferably controlled variously. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a side view showing the whole construction of the bread slicer according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of the critical part of Fig. 1.; Fig. 3 includes front views partially showing the finger interval holding member of Fig. 2, wherein (a), (b) and (c) show the situation using the spacers 6, 7 or 8, respectively; Fig. 4 is a partial plan view of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a side view showing the construction of a bread slicer using endless blades; and Fig. 6 is a side view showing the finger holder positioning device of the prior art. The bread slicer according to the present invention will be concretely described in accordance with one preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4. The illustrated apparatus has a plurality of endless blades B for slicing a loaf of bread P, which are stretched over two drums D1 and D2 spaced as shown in Fig. 1. Reference numeral 1 designates a finger holder equipped with a finger 4 having three engagement pieces 3 for guiding each of the endless blades B so as to position the same blade. The finger holder 1 is supported movably along guide bars 2 disposed in parallel to the drums D1 and D2. In fact, a plurality of the finger holders 1 are spacedly disposed along the guide bars 2 in a direction perpendicular to the drawing. To each row of the finger holders 1, one spacer shaft 5 is rotatably disposed in parallel to the drums D1 and D2. On each spacer shaft 5, as enlargedly shown in Fig. 2, there is attached a row of spacers for holding the interval between the respective finger holders 1, which is made to intervene between the adjacent finger holders 1. In the illustrated apparatus, the spacer shaft 5 has three rows of spacers 6, 7 and 8 each attached at an interval of 120°, respectively. Reference 9 designates an air cylinder for alienating each spacer shaft 5 from the finger holder 1, in which after the piston rod 10 thereof is stretched to cause the spacer shaft 5 to get alienated from the finger holder 1, the spacer shaft 5 is rotated to direct anyone of the spacers 6, 7 and 8 toward the air cylinder 9, and the piston rod 10 is then caused to retreat, thereby making the same spacers to intervene between the finger holders 1. In Fig. 2, such a situation is shown that the row of spacers 8 is about to be made to intervene between the finger holders 1. Fig. 3 includes front views showing situations in that the spacers 6, 7 and 8 of the spacer shaft 5 are directed downward, as separately exploded. As shown in Fig. 3(a), the row of spacers 6 consists of spacers 6 having a width of positioning the finger holders 1 so that the intervals of the endless blades B can be kept so as to slice a loaf of bread, for instance, to four slices per pound. Fig. 3(b) shows the spacers 7 having a width of positioning the finger holders 1 so that a loaf of bread can be sliced, for instance, to six slices per pound. Also Fig. 3(c) shows the spacers 8 having a width of positioning the finger holders 1 so that a loaf of bread can be sliced to eight slices per pound. The rows of these spacers 6 ∼ 8 and the spacer shaft 5 constitute a finger interval holding member 11. As shown in Fig. 4, on the other hand, the finger holders 1, except for ones at both the ends, are put on the guide bars 2, with a coil spring 12 inserted between the adjacent holders. Accordingly, the respective finger holders 1 are positioned by the expanding force of the coil springs 12 so that the adjacent holders are spaced almost at equal intervals. Reference 13 disignates air cylinders constituting a finger holder fixing device, each made as a two-stage cylinder comprising a small-stroke air cylinder 14 and a large-stroke air cylinder 15. The piston rods of these air cylinders 13 are connected to the terminal ones of the finger holders 1 put on the guide bars 2, wherein the interval between the finger holders 1 is changed by the expansion and contraction of these air cylinders 13. Under a condition that the air cylinders 14 are expanded and the air cylinders 15 are contracted, the finger holders 1 assume the situation shown in Fig. 3(b) to provide an interval for slicing a loaf of bread to six slices per pound. If the spacers 7 are inserted between the finger holders 1 under this situation and the air cylinders 13 are contracted in whole, the finger holders 1 will be clamped as uniformly held at the width of the spacers 7. In a situation where the air cylinders 15 are expanded and the air cylinders 14 are contracted, the finger holders 1 are kept at an interval for providing four slices, as shown in Fig. 3(a). If the spacers 6 are inserted between the finger holders 1 and the air cylinders 13 are contracted in whole, the finger holders 1 will be clamped as uniformly held at an interval for providing four slices that corresponds to the width of the spacers 6. Furthermore, if the spacers 8 are inserted between the finger holders 1 and the air cylinders 13 are finally contracted in whole, after both the air cylinders 14 and 15 are properly contracted to a place of giving an interval somewhat wider than an interval for providing eight slices, as shown in Fig. 3(c), the finger holders 1 will be clamped as uniformly held at the width of the spacers 8. For simple illustration of the structure, in Fig. 4, the finger holders 1 are shown with only three fingers 4 attached thereon and the spacer shaft 5 is shown with no spacers. As to the attachment of the spacers 6 ∼ 8 to the spacer shaft 5, on the other hand, they are put thereon, not fixed, with keeping such a looseness that they can be slightly displaced on the spacer shaft 5. When the spacers 6 ∼ 8 are inserted between the finger holders 1 and clamped by the air cylinders 13, however, the finger holders 1 are accurately held at equal intervals depending on the width of the spacers 6 ∼ 8. The rotation of the spacer shaft 5 each at an interval of 120° respectively for switching over the rows of the spacers 6 ∼ 8 may be given by hand or by a proper power. Although the bread slicer illustrated in the drawings has twenty-six finger holders 1 which guide twenty-five endless blades in order to slice three pounds of bread to eight slices in maximum per pound, four finger holders at one end and five finger holders at the other end will be used only in the slicing for providing eight slices and they are therefore fixed at an interval for providing eight slices. Only between the remaining finger holders 1 in the middle, a coil spring 12 is made to intervene, whereby the intervals of these finger holders can be changed. Owing to the aforementioned construction, the length of the spacer shaft 5 becomes short and therefore, the width of the bread slicer is made smaller. In this preferred embodiment, moreover, the finger holders at both the end sides used only when a loaf of bread is sliced to the maximum number of bread slices, i.e. eight bread slices, which include the said four finger holders at one end and five finger holders at the other end, may be made up in a united structure as the finger holders having an interval for providing the maximum number of bread slices, and these finger holders in the united structure may be constructed so as to move like one finger holder when the interval regulating operation of finger holders is carried out. Thus, the bread slicer can be simplified in structure and operation. If the finger holders 1 are held at intervals somewhat larger than an interval for providing a desired number of bread slices by means of the air cylinders 13, an interval almost equal to the desired number of bread slices will be formed between the respective finger holders 1 because all the coil springs 12 are uniform. Owing to the fact that the minimum interval necessary for insertion of a spacer is formed between the adjacent finger holders 1 as mentioned above, a quick setting of the finger holders 1 can be carried out, with the clamping stroke of the air cylinders 13 made smaller, after spacers corresponding to that desired number of bread slices are made to intervene therebetween. Although the present invention has been concretely described in connection with the illustrated preferred embodiment, it is a matter of course that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. In the above preferred embodiment, for instance, three rows of spacers are provided each at a position of 120° on the spacer shaft 5, but the number of the rows of spacers and the attaching angle of spacers on the spacer shaft 5 may be freely selected. In the illustrated apparatus, moreover, three rows of spacers are provided and in order to switch over the row of spacers to be used, the spacer shaft 5 is shifted by the air cylinder 9 so as to be rotated at a place where it does not collide with the finger holders 1, but such a construction may be adopted that the spacer shaft 5 is turned, not shifted, depending on the structure and contour of spacers used and the number of rows of these spacers. In addition, some kinds of spacer shafts on which spacers having various widths are attached may be provided for and switched over for use. As has been concretely described above, the bread slicer according to the present invention comprises springs, respectively made to intervene between the finger holders holding fingers for guiding endless blades, each of which biases the adjacent finger holders so as to alienate them from each other, a finger interval holding member having rows of plural spacers different in width from one another which are attached on a rotatable spacer shaft and held between the adjacent finger holders so as to hold the mutual intervals of the finger holders, and a finger holder fixing device for clamping the finger holders from both the sides. By clamping the finger holder fixing device, accordingly, an almost equal interval can be respectively provided between the finger holders by the action of the springs. And by making a row of spacers attached on the spacer shaft to intervene in said interval and clamping the finger holders from both the sides by means of the finger holder fixing device, the finger holders is positioned at the width of the spacers accurately and quickly. According to the present invention, there is therefore provided a bread slicer in which the change of the number of bread slices can be easily and quickly carried out, with accuracy. In the bread slicer in which some finger holders at both the end sides used only for providing the maximum number of bread slices are made up in a united structure, according to the present invention, there can be further obtained such effects of simplifying the structure of the finger holders and the operation for changing the intervals of the finger holders, in addition to the aforementioned effects.

Claims: A bread slicer comprising a plurality of endless blades (B) stretched over two spaced drums (D1, D2) for slicing a loaf of bread (P), fingers (4) attached on respective finger holders (1) disposed in lengthwise direction of guide bars (2) and supported axially movably thereby parallel to said drums (D1, D2) for guiding each of said endless blades (B) so as to position said blade, and a finger interval holding member (11) having plural spacers which are slidably displaceable on a rotatable spacer shaft (5) parallel to said guide bars (2), characterized by : springs (12) which are interposed between the respective finger holders (1), each of which biases the adjacent finger holders (1) so as to distance them from each other; the finger interval holding member (11) having rows of plural spacers (6, 7, 8) different in width from one another which are slidably displaceable on the rotatable spacer shaft (5) parallel to said guide bars (2) and adapted so that the spacers (6, 7, 8) of each row of spacers can intervene between the respective adjacent finger holders (1), wherein the rotatable spacer shaft (5) can be positioned in such a manner, that the spacers (6, 7, 8) of a selected one of rows of spacers intervene between respective adjacent finger holders (1) so as to set and maintain predetermined intervals of the finger holders (1); and a finger holder fixing device (13) being adapted to move the outer finger holders (1) towards and away from each other in axial direction of said guide bars (2), thereby clamping together and releasing the finger holders (1) and the interposed spacers (6, 7, 8), respectively. A bread slicer as claimed in claim 1, wherein an air cylinder (9) is provided for distancing said spacer shaft (5) from the finger holders (1). A bread slicer as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said finger holder fixing device (13) has air cylinders (13) connected to the finger holders (1) at both ends, and said air cylinders (13) are respectively composed of a two-stage cylinder consisting of large-stroke and small-stroke air cylinders (14, 15) connected in series. A bread slicer as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein some of the finger holders (1), at the ends of said guide bars (2), are held at an interval corresponding to the maximum number of bread slices, without springs (12) interposed therebetween, and said several finger holders (1) are made displaceable as a unit. A bread slicer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the finger holders (1) at the ends are formed in an united structure. A bread slicer as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the rows of said spacers (6, 7, 8) are composed of spacers (6, 7, 8) attached on the spacer shaft (5) each at an interval of 120° from one another respectively, and having three kinds of widths. A bread slicer as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said spacer shaft (5) is made exchangeable by another spacer shaft equipped with spacers different in width.

Inventors: KAWAKAMI SANJI, SUZUKI TOMOSABURO, KAWAKAMI, SANJI, SUZUKI, TOMOSABURO
Applicants: DAISEY KIKAI CO LTD, DAISEY KIKAI CO., LTD.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B26D1
IPC codes: B26D1, B26D3